After Local Anesthetic
Most dental procedures require local anesthetic. The teeth, tongue, lip and surrounding tissue may be numb or “asleep.”
What to watch for: Most children don’t understand the effects of local anesthesia. Parents need to watch for chewing, sucking, scratching or biting on the cheek and tongue. This could cause minor irritations such as swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
Recommendations: Soft diet until anesthetic has worn off.
Care After Trauma
What to watch for: Tooth may turn a grayish color due to trauma to the tooth
Also watch for swelling/bubble above the tooth, this may be a sign of an abscess–please call our office immediately for evaluation.
Recommendations: Maintain soft diet for 2-3 weeks. (Examples: Mashed potatoes, jello, yogurt, pudding, applesauce, grits, etc.) No biting into any hard or crunchy food with front teeth. No drinking through a straw or using sippy cups. Use a regular cup for all ages for the next 2-3 weeks. Also limit spitting and hot and cold food or drinks.
Salt water rinses recommended for at least 3 days. Tylenol or Motrin as needed for discomfort.
Care After Extractions
What to watch for: Chewing, sucking, starching or biting on the cheek and tongue. This could cause minor irritations such as swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
Recommendations: Continue to bite on gauze for at least 30 minutes or until bleeding stops. Can also use moist tea bag to help the bleeding to stop. No rinsing, spitting or drinking through a straw for the next 24 hours. Maintain soft diet for a day or two. Tylenol or Motrin as needed for discomfort.
Care After Sealants
Recommendations: Patient needs to avoid eating any or all sticky candies such as Gummies, Now & Laters, Laffy Taffy, bubble gum, etc. These will pull the sealant off the tooth and leave it unprotected from tooth decay. You should also avoid chewing on ice or hard candy, as this may chip the sealant. Brush and floss as normal, twice daily. With proper care, sealants should last between three and seven years.
Care After Silver Crown
What to watch for: Chewing, sucking, starching or biting on the cheek and tongue. This could cause minor irritations such as swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Your child may have some soreness around their gums. If your child should complain of the crown feeling “tight”, Tylenol or Motrin should help.
Recommendations: Patient needs to avoid eating any or all sticky candies such as Gummies, Now & Laters, Laffy Taffy, bubble gum, etc. These candies may loosen or pull crown off and may damage it so that it cannot be re-cemented. It is very important to kept area clean. Brush and floss as normal. If crown should come out, place in zip lock bag and call our office for an appointment.
Care After Space Maintainer Insert Or Hollywood
What to watch for: Allow a period of one week for your child to become accustomed to the newness of the appliance. Watch for your child playing with appliance with their tongue or fingers. If your child should complain of appliance feeling “tight” Tylenol or Motrin should help.
Recommendations: Avoid eating any or all sticky candies such as Gummies, Now & Laters, bubble gum, etc. These candies may loosen or pull appliance out and may damage it so that it cannot be re-cemented. It is very important to kept area clean. Brush and floss as normal. If appliance should come out, place in zip lock bag and call our office for an appointment.
Care Of Anterior Resin Crowns (ARC)
Recommendations: No biting into hard foods such as: apples, corn on the cob, bagels, etc. Normal foods eaten with front teeth should be sliced and eaten on the side. Please keep toys out of your child’s mouth as well. No biting into sticky candies such as: Gummy Bears, Laffy Taffy, caramels, etc.
